HC-TT

HUMAN CONTROLLED TAPE TRANSPORT

**The new versionis in the works, please sign up to the mailing list at the bottom of the page for updates.

**New version prototype

The HC-TT is a compact cassette manipulation device which allows you to play a cassette with your hands similarly to how you scratch a vinyl record. Sound will only be produced while your hands are turning the large playback knobs. By turning these knobs you are directly rotating the cassette spindles which moves the tape across the internal tape head. The knobs “play” a regular cassette forwards and backwards. The touch switch is a momentary mute for both the mono audio output as well as the CV/Gate outputs. There is no motor in this device. It does not record it only outputs pre-recorded audio from a cassette tape. Please see below for additional details.

SPECIFICATIONS:

-Forwards and Backwards knobs using 4 ball bearings allowing for responsive control and manipulation of an audio cassette tape. Scratching of audio using the two knobs sounds nearly identical to scratching a vinyl record. there is no motor or automatic playback in this device, you are the motor.

-Metal Cranks on both knobs

-Momentary Touch Mute pad for gating audio and/or CV/Gate signals

-A Gain control at it's highest level can get quite loud and add a bit if overdrive to the signal, plus when used in combination with the tone control it can pushed into a bit heavier overdrive. At it's lowest level still allows cleaner audio and lower CV through when you move the tape. This is also pre-CV/Gate which means it will be used in tandom with the tone control to send the desired CV/Gate amounts out of the HC-TT.

-A lo-fi Tone control which cuts most bass content at it's lowest level and slightly overdrives bass content at it's highest. This control is pre-CV/Gate which means it will allow you to adjust your CV/Gate levels and response.

-3.5mm CV and Gate outputs which allow you to use your chosen tape's audio content in combination with your playing style as a way to control a modular synthesizer. To put it another way, the HC-TT is also a tape based "controller" or modulation source. Utilize the immediate responsiveness of a mechanical device and analog tape to control your system in chaotic or subtle ways. Hand crank a sequencer using the gate output, "scratch" a VCO with the CV output or make your system sound similar to the warbled tape you are currently manipulating.

-I/O touch pads allowing for touch sensitive analog feedback within the circuit (not on tape). The feedback you create also outputs to CV/Gate. The feedback can greatly distort and mangle the manipulated tape signal as well as incoming audio. By touching only the input pad you will turn your body into an antenna injecting radio signals, hum or static to the audio and CV/Gate outputs. (radio frequencies and results vary greatly by location).

-The cassette inserts along the front edge by lifting both knobs and then reseating them through the cassette spindles.

-1/4" mono output

-1/4” audio through input which allows you to use the HC-TT’s circuitry as a lo-fi overdrive and playable touch feedback device. The input also goes to the CV/Gate outs.

-9v DC tip (-) power supply works in all countries and has changeable plug types

A video posted by Landscape (@landscape_hc_tt) on Apr 7, 2016 at 8:01pm PDT

These audio examples below show the HC-TT sometimes played alone and sometimes running through other effects pedals. For example (Mixtape > Looperpedal) is a mixtape manipulated with the HC-TT into a looper pedal.